canola oil recipes Archives - ingredientsinc.net

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

My family and I have been obsessed with bananas and banana bread, so today I made this Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bread recipe which was absolutely incredible! First of all, you don’t need a mixer for this recipe. Second, all of the ingredients go in one large mixing bowl so there is not a lot of mess or extra cleanup. I love that this recipe also uses nonfat Greek yogurt because it adds texture and 12 grams of protein. I eliminated one egg and added 1 tablespoon of coconut oil (which is also healthy) and also contributes to this banana bread recipe’s soft, smooth texture. If you have tried my Banana Bread with Greek Yogurt recipe, this banana bread is fairly similar with only a few changes, but it’s just as good (if not better). Here are a few of my other Banana Bread recipes that look amazing, so enjoy!

My recipe for Fresh Strawberry Bread

My recipe for Blueberry Banana Bread

My recipe for No Mixer Banana Bread on SC Johnson

Oscar Night Recipes and Games 2012

It’s Oscar Night 2012 this sunday night so I wanted to share some favorite Oscar night recipes and games. To start, check out Pear Pecan and Gorgonzola Crostini (pictured above) by Ingredients, Inc.

Super Quick Dark Chocolate Brownies by Ingredients, Inc.

Saucepan Popcorn by Ingredients, Inc.

Oscar Red Carpet Bingo

Oscar Night Party Game from Better Homes and Gardens

Bistro Pasta Salad

As you know, for the past month I have been working with CanolaInfo on its World Heart Day 2011 campaign. To help encourage families to take their health into their own hands, I developed the “Home is Where the Heart Is” Recipe Collection, which is filled with delicious, healthy and easy-to-prepare recipes that both kids and parents will enjoy.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the U.S for men and women as well as something that has affected my family directly. Unfortunately, childhood obesity has continued to grow at an alarming rate. The reason this is so disturbing is because research has shown that children who are overweight or obese are more likely to be overweight or obese as adults. Obesity is a huge risk factor for CVD but one that is preventable with diet and exercise. That is why teaching my children healthy eating habits is so important to me – and something that can start right here at home.

As a mother of three, I wholly understand the challenges of being a busy, working mom and getting healthy meals on the table – not to mention making something the kids will eat! When developing this recipe collection, I really tried to consider what would be fast, economical, healthy and delicious for the entire family, and I think I accomplished just that.

As a common ingredient in all these recipes, I chose to use canola oil. It has the least amount of saturated fat and most omega-3 fat of all cooking oils. Its versatility in cooking and baking simplify my life even more, and it’s inexpensive! This coming Thursday, Sept. 29, is World Heart Day. To celebrate, I will be hosting a Facebook Party on CanolaInfo’s Facebook page from 7-8 PM CST! I will be discussing ways to be heart-smart at home by getting your whole family involved. I hope you will share your own tips and stories as well. Ten of you will be chosen at random to receive a CanolaInfo Heart Health Toolkit. You can RSVP here.

Heart-Smart Snack: No-Bake Peanut Butter Granola Bars

For those who know me well, you know that eating healthy and staying active is extremely important to me. I have been a runner since I was 16 and in love with anything related to health and nutrition since college. Over the past 20 years, my dad has had three heart attacks and open-heart surgeries, which has made me even more conscious of keeping my family fit and heart-healthy.

As you know, I’ve been working with CanolaInfo on its World Heart Day campaign and have learned a lot! For example, cardiovascular disease (CVD), including heart disease, stroke and diseases of the blood vessels, is the number one cause of death worldwide, accounting for more than 17 million lost lives every year. In the U.S. alone, more than 81 million people (37 percent of the population) have CVD, resulting in nearly 850,000 deaths a year. Research has also shown that obese children are at a high risk for being obese as adults, which is a risk factor for CVD. There is good news though – with healthy diet and exercise, CVD can be prevented up to 80 percent of the time!

I’ve tried to teach my three children (10, 12 and 14) the importance of a healthy lifestyle through examples I’ve set and it seems to be working! As a family, we like to ride bikes, take walks, play tennis – anything active that we can do together. I also urge them to join team sports every season and we discuss the importance of making healthy food choices. I include them in meal planning, grocery shopping and cooking. I am always proud, impressed and grateful when I see them making wise decisions with healthy snacks and other foods. But kids are also, well kids, so I try to make heart-healthy foods fun like these No Bake Peanut Butter Granola Bars I developed for CanolaInfo’s “Home is Where the Heart is” Recipe Collection.

These easy and tasty granola bars are perfect for breakfast, a lunchbox dessert or afternoon snack. For more great kid-friendly recipes and information on living a heart-smart lifestyle, visit Canolainfo.org.